Machine for classifying tiles.



G. A. STANBERY.

MACHINE FOR CLASSIPYING TILES.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 5, 1905.

1,078,883, Patented Nov. 18, 1913.

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G. A. STANBBRY.

MACHINE FOR CLASSIFYING TILES.

APPLICATION TILED APR. 5, 1905.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE A. STANBERY, 0F ZANESVILLE, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN ENCAUSTICTILING COMPANY, LIMITED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

MACHINE FOR CLASSIFYING TILES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 18, 1913.

Application filed April 5, 1905. Serial No. 254,004.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE A. STANBERY,

citizen of the United States, residing at Zanesville, in the county ofMuskingum and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Machines for Classifying Tiles, of which the followingis a specification.

My invention relates to a machine used in the manufacture of tiles forthe purpose of determining whether they are straight and true, or toascertain whether the faces thereof are slightly concave or convex.

During the process of manufacturing tiles they are liable to shrink andwarp. It is customary to assort the tiles into grades according as theyare straight or warped; and for this classification, it is usual toemploy a straight edge, the instrument being laid on the face of theindividual tiles so that the operator may determine, by sight, thecondition of the tiles, and afterward assort them into different groupsaccording to their condition.

My machine is used by operators for the purpose of rapidly andaccurately determining the condition of tiles, and it operates toindicate to the attendant the grade into which individual tiles are tobe classified.

In one embodiment of the invention, the machine is calibrated toindicate straight tiles, to classify slightly convex tiles into two ormore groups of another grade, and to also indicate the different groupsof concave tiles, although the particular standard of classification isnot a material part of the invention, and hence may be modified orchanged at will.

M 1 machine includes in its construction a rest for the reception oftiles adapted to he placed thereon and to be removed therefrom one afterthe other, an actuating member adapted to have engagement with the tilesoccupying said rest, a suitable dial, and a pointer controllable by theactuating member and adapted to be moved more or less thereby, forindicating on the dial the classification of the individual tiles.

The tile rest in one form of the machine consists of a number of partsfastened individually to a suitable bed and arranged or grouped tosupport a tile over the actuating member. The parts comprising the tilerest are preferably adjustable with respect to this actuating member sothat they may assume positions for supporting tiles of different sizes.

The pointer is held normally by a retractor in a zero position, and withsaid pointer is combined means for adjusting it with accuracy. Each timethe members or parts of the tile support or rest are shifted to receivetiles of different sizes, it is necessary to again bring the machine tothe required standard. This is accomplished by the employment of anaccurate standard gage and by the manipulation of the adjusting devicefor the pointer.

The several working parts of my machine or instrument of precision areso constructed that in the operation thereof wear is taken upautomatically. As the machine is adapted to be adjusted quite frequentlyto standardize it, the work of classifying tiles can be effected withaccuracy and dispatch.

iQfQIGIlCG is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification, wherein like characters of reference are used toindicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a machine for classifying tiles constructedin accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinalsection in the plane of the dotted line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is avertical transverse section in the pane of the dotted line 33 of Fig. 1.Fig. 4 is another vertical cross section through a part of the bed andrepresenting the actuating member and a tile rest or support inelevation. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view of the index and the meansfor adjusting the same. Fig. 6 is a detail cross section on the line 6-6of Fig. Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation through a part of the bed andthe Working parts of the index mechanism.

A designates a frame or casing which may be of any suitable or preferredconstruction for containing some of the working parts of my newclassifying machine. The top of this casing constitutes a bed B for thereception of the parts or members comprising a tile rest or support.These members are indicated by the numerals 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, each ofwhich consists of a block adapted to be held fixedly in place on the bedby suitable means which permits of the adjustment of the member withrelation to the other members and to an actuating member C. The blocks2, 3, 4 and 5 are each provided with an upstanding head 6, and each ofsaid blocks are shown as having a groove 7 in one face thereof, althoughthis groove is not material. Each block is provided at its under sidewith a pin or stud 8, and said block is furthermore provided with a footflange or lug 9, the latter being perforated for the reception of aclamping screw 10. The bed B is provided with a number of smoothopenings 11, and with a corresponding number of threaded or tappedopenings 12, the last mentioned openings being considerably larger thanthe smooth openings 11. The openings 11, 12, are provided in the bed Bat the positions which are to be assumed by the members 1 to 5inclusive, comprising the tile rest or support, said members beingdetach able from the bed, so as to be adjusted to different positionsthereon for the reception or accommodation of tiles which vary in size.It will be understood that the blocks comprising the tile rest orsupport are ad justable either crosswise or lengthwise of the bed forthe purpose of receiving tiles which may vary in length or width, or inboth directions. The stud 8 of each member or block is adapted to occupyone of the holes 11, while the screw 10 is threaded into one of thetapped holes 12, thereby fastening the block in place against anytendency to turn out of position or to become detached from the bed.

The blocks or members forming the tile rest are grouped or arrangedaround the tileactuated member C in the manner shown by Fig. 1, wherebythe edge portions of a tile are adapted to occupy the blocks or members,and the middle part of the tile is adapted for engagement with the endof said member C as represented by Figs. 1, 2 and 4. By providing theblocks 2, 3, i and 5 with. the upstanding heads 6 the tile is preventedfrom moving out of position during the operation of testing or gagingthe same, but the member 1 of the rest or support is not provided withthe upstanding head, thus permitting the tile to be readily slipped intoposition on the other members of the support.

Under some circumstances I may place the tiles directly on the upperfaces of the members or blocks, but it is preferred to employ a levelingscrew D in conjunction with each member or block. The leveling screwsare attached individually to the blocks or members so as to projectabove the upper faces thereof, each screw being disposed alongside ofthe head 6, which head extends a distance above the upper end of thescrew, as represented more clearly by Fig. t. It, is understood that theleveling screws may be adjusted for the purpose of furnishing anaccurate support for the tile adapted to be placed upon the rest orholder.

The actuating member C is represented by Fig. 4 in the form of a rod orplunger adapted to pass through the bed B and to extend to the plane ofthe leveling screws D. This plunger is reduced. at its lower end toprovide a foot tenon c, the same being of hardened metal so as tominimize the wear and preserve the accuracy of the plunger. A bushing Cis secured in the bed B at a cen tral point with respect to the group ofblocks comprising the tile rest or support. The bushing is provided atits lower end with an annular flange 0 adapted to engage with a boss 0which is provided on the under side of the bed plate B. The bushing isshown by Fig. 4 as extending above the bed B, and said bushing isprovided with a vertical passage or opening for the accommodation of thestem or plunger C, the latter being slidable freely in the bushing andbeing also removable at will therefrom.

H designates a horizontal shaft which ranges lengthwise of the casing A,below the bed B thereof. This shaft is journaled in appropriate bearings72, which are provided within the casing, and at one end this shaft isprovided with a disk I having a notch i cut therein, see Fig. 4:. Inthis notch is a hardened steel pin or tooth i, which is rigid orintegral with the disk I, so that it will turn with the shaft H. Thelower extremity of the plunger C fits within the notch i of the disk,and it rests upon the pin or tooth 2', whereby the plunger and the shaftare operatively combined in a way which operates to turn or rock theshaft H by a downward movement of the plunger C under the pressure of atile upon the upper end of said plunger.

An index mechanism is provided at one corner of the casing or bed of themachine, said index mechanism being housed or contained within a smallercasing J fastened in a suitable way to the bed plate B as by the screwsj. This casing J is provided with a viewing slot 7", adapted to becovered by a transparent pane 7' and said casing is furthermore providedwith an opening L which is closed by a removable cap or cover K.

A dial or graduated plate L is fastened to the bed B, within the casingJ and below the viewing slot 7'. This dial is calibrated to denote theclasses of tiles, and the groups or sub-divisions within the respectiveclasses. The calibration of the dial is arbitrary, but as shown moreparticularly by Fig. 1, the dial has a central index character denotingthe standard tile of first quality. 011 opposite sides of this linedenoting the standard are spaces which are designated as the firstquality spaces; on opposite sides of these spaces are other spacesdenoting the second quality, and on opposite sides of the second qualityspaces are further spaces denoting the inferior quality of tiles. Itwill be understood that the graduation of the scale may be modified orchanged within Wide limits.

M designates a vertical shaft which passes through a bushing m providedin the bed plate B directly below the removable cap K, the lower portionof said shaft having a bearing in a hanger m, which is fixed to the bedplate. Said shaft is arranged close to one end of the rock shaft H, andthe two shafts are geared one to the other by any suitable form ofgearing, such as by the beveled pinion n, which is fixed to the shaft M,said beveled pinion having intermeshing engagement with a sector a,which is fixed to one end of the rock shaft H. The upper end of thevertical shaft M protrudes above the bed plate B for a suitabledistance, and on this shaft is rigidly fixed a carrier 0, the latterbeing adapted to oscillate or turn with the shaft M when it is actuatedby the shaft H, the latter being in turn operated by the plunger C. Thiscarrier 0 is equipped with the index or pointer P and with means foradjusting the pointer relatively to the carrier and to the graduationsof the dial L, whereby the machine may be accurately adjusted each timethe members of the tile rest or support are shifted for theaccommodation of different sizes of tiles. The pointer P consists of ablade or member of any suitable material, dimensions or form. Saidpointer is in one piece with or attached to a head 77, one end of whichis provided with reversely inclined bevels 7) 79 see Fig. 6. The carrier0 is provided in one side with a slot or recess 0, in which is receivedthe head 7? of the pointer and the wedge shaped or beveled part of saidhead. The pointer is pivotally connected with the carrier 0 by means ofa pin (1, which passes through the carrier 0 and the head 79 of thepointer, said pivot being located quite close to the beveled or wedgeshaped portion of the pointer head. The carrier 0 is furthermoreequipped with adjusting screws R R, the same being threaded into tappedopenings which are provided in the carrier. The screws have beveled orpointed ends 1*, as shown by Fig. (3, and they are adapted forengagement with the beveled faces 7) p of the wedge shaped portion ofthe pointer head. The screws are adapted to be tightened against thewedge portion of the pointer for the purpose of clamping the same in apredetermined position relative to the carrier 0, but by slackening onescrew and adjusting the other, the beveled ends of the screws areadapted to so act on the wedge shaped part of the pointer head so thatthe pointer may be turned on its pivot q to accurately adjust thepointer to a desired position for the purpose of standardizing themachine. This adjustment of the pointer may take place independently ofthe adjustment of the other parts of the machine, although theadjustment is made in view of a gage standard S, which may be employedin connection with the rests and the plunger C. Such adjustment of thepointer can be easily secured by removing the cap or cover K andinserting a screw driver or other tool through the opening 70, access tothe screws R R being easily obtained through the opening is, as will beseen by reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

The oscillating movement of the pointer P in either direction isarrested by stops :5, fixed to the bed plate B, and said pointer is heldnormally in the position indicated by Fig. 1 by the tension of aretractor T, the same being represented in the form of a coiled spring,one end of which is attached to a lug t on the carrier 0, while theother end is anchored as at t to the bed plate. This spring holds thecarrier and the pointer in a position where the latter engages with oneof the stops. This spring also acts on the carrier to turn the verticalshaft M, so that one tooth of the pinion n is engaged with one beveledtooth on the sector it of the rock shaft H, whereby the parts are placedunder tension so as to compensate for wear due to the friction of someof the working parts of the machine.

The operation is as followsz-Before the machine is used for classifyingtiles it is brought to standard by the employment of a gage S, adaptedto be placed on the members forming the tile support and to actuate theplunger C in a way to make the pointer indicate the standard measurementon the dial L. Should the pointer move to any position other than thecentral standard gage indication the operator should remove the cap K,and employ a suitable implement for adjusting the screws R R eitherindividually or successively so as to make the pointer move to thecentral graduation on the scale. The cover K is now replaced and thestandard gage is removed, after which the machine is in condition foroperation. The operator places the tiles one after the other on themembers of the rest, and the leveling screws thereof, so that one faceof the individual tiles is adapted for engagement with the end of theplunger 0. If the face of the tile is straight and true, the plunger Cwill be depressed a given distance so as to turn the shafts H, M, acertain predetermined distance, thereby making the pointer P indicatethe central standard graduation on the dial. Should the face of one tilebe slightly convex the parts will be actuated for the pointer toindicate the first, second or bad division of the scale to the right ofthe central graduation, but should the face of the tile be concave, thepointer will indicate one of the three divisions at the left of thecentral graduation. From this description it is clear that accurate,convex and concave tiles may be readily gaged by the use of the machineand the divisions or groups of either convex or cancave tiles will beaccurately indicated by the pointer on the scale, thus enabling theoperator to readily classify and assert the tiles into different gradesor standards of quality.

It is frequently necessary to change the relation of the members 1, 2,3, l, 5, comprising the tile rest or support, for the purpose ofenabling the machine to be used in classifying tiles of different sizes.The adjustment of the different members is readily effected by releasingthe clamping screws 10, and changing the positions of one or more of themembers on the bed, said member or members being shifted relatively tothe plunger C. Should it be required the screws 1) may be adjusted toafford a perfectly level support for the tiles which are to beclassified, but in nearly every instance it is found that the relationof the pointer P to the carrier must be adjusted in order to bring themachine up to standard when the standard gage S (the same being madewith a perfectly straight face), is placed on the tile rest. It isobvious that the required adjustment of the pointer is readily obtainedby the manipulation of the screws R R in the manner heretoforedescribed.

Changes in the form, size, proportion, and minor details in constructionmay be made without departing from the spirit of the invention orsacrificing any of the advantages thereof, and I, therefore, reserve theright to make such alterations and modifications as fairly fall withinthe scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is 1. ln a machine for detecting the warpage inthe plane surfaces of tiles and for classifyii'ig said tiles, thecombination of an index mechanism including a part graduated to denotethe classes into which the warped tiles are to be assorted and a pointermovable relative to said graduated part, a tile rest embodying aplurality of members upon the faces of which the tile is to bepositioned, an actuating member the tile engaging face of which isnormally in the same plane as the tile engaging faces of the memberscomposing said rest, said actuating member being movable relative to thetile rest members, and means for communicating the movement of saidactuating member to the pointer of said index mechanism, the memberscomposing said tile rest being positioned in the same horizontal planeand said members being shiftable relative to each other and to theactuating member for the purpose of positioning said members to receivetiles which vary in size.

2. In a machine for detecting the warpage in the plane surfaces of tilesand for classifying said tiles, the combination of an index mechanismincluding a part graduated to denote the classes into which the warpedtiles are to be assorted and a pointer movable relative to saidgraduated part, a tile rest embodying a plurality of members upon thefaces of which the tile is to be positioned, a slid-able actuatingmember the tile engaging end of which is normally in the same plane asthe tile engaging faces of the members composing said tile rest, saidactuating member being slidable in a direction at right angles to theplane of the tile engaging faces of said members composing the tilerest, and means for com municating the movement of the actuating memberto the pointer of the index mechanism, said members of the tile restbeing individually secured in a fixed position and each member beingmovable in a horizontal direction relative to the other members of saidtile rest whereby said members are capable of supporting tiles whichvary in size and of accurately positioning said tiles relative to theactuating member.

3. in a device for classifying tiles, an index mechanism provided with adial which is graduated to denote the classes into which tiles are to beassorted, an actuator member adapted to be operated by an irregularityin the surface of a tile under test, said actuator member cooperatingwith said index iechanism, and work supporting means in a predeterminedstandard relation to the actuator member, said work supporting meanscomprising a plurality of members which are shiftable toward or from theactuator member, whereby tiles of varying sizes may be tested on themachine.

l. In a device for classifying tiles, an index mechanism provided with adial which is graduated to denote the classes into which tiles are to beassorted, an actuator member adapted to be operated by an irregularityin the surface of a tile under test, said actuator member cooperatingwith said index mechanism, and a plurality of work supporting members,said members being shiftable individually and toward or from theactuator member for the purpose of supporting tiles of different sizesin position for engagement with said actuator member.

5.111 a device for classifying tiles, an actuator member adapted to beoperated by an irregularity in the surface of a tile, a plurality ofwork supporting members adjustable to different positions relative tosaid actuator member, whereby tiles of different sizes may be held inpredetermined positions relative to the actuator member, and meansoperated by the actuator member for denoting the classes into which thevarious tiles are to be assorted.

6. In a device for classifying tiles, a group of supporting members, thetile-engaging surfaces of which are in the same plane, a plungeroperating in a space bounded by said members and adapted to be moved byan irregularity in the surface of a tile when it is placed upon saidmembers, and index mechanism operated by said plunger, said supportingmembers having means for precluding movement of the tile when it isplaced thereon and to determine the position of the tile relative to theplunger.

7. In a machine for classifying tiles, a bed or frame, a work rest orholder thereon comprising a group of work-supporting members adjustabletoward and from each other, said members having seating surfaces adaptedfor engagement with the edge and face of the work, an index mechanism,and means actuated by variations in the surface level of the work foroperating said index mechanism accordingly.

8. In a machine for classifying tiles, a work rest or holder comprisinga group of members each having a seating surface adapted for engagementwith the edge and a face of the work, an index mechanism, a memberoperating in the space bounded by the members of the work rest or holderand adapted to be operated by engagement with the surface of the work,and transmitting devices for amplifying the movement of said member andcommunicating such movement to the index mechanism.

9. In a device of the class described, means for supporting the work, amember adapted for engagement with work adapted to be placed on saidmember, and an index mechanism operated by said member, the pointer ofsaid index mechanism being mounted separately and associated with meanswhereby its position may be adjusted or shifted independently of themovement which may be imparted thereto by the aforesaid work-actuatedmember.

10. In a device of the class described, a work actuated member, and anindex mechanism adapted to be actuated by said member, said indexmechanism including a pointer having an adjusting wedge and meansengaging With said wedge for adjusting the pointer independently of themovement imparted thereto by the work actuated member.

11. In a device of the class described, a work actuated member, and anindex mechanism adapted to be actuated by said member, said indexmechanism including a swinging carrier, a pointer having a Wedge, andmeans for clamping the pointer on the carrier and for adjusting saidpointer independently of the movement given thereto by said member.

12. In a device of the class described, a work actuated member, and anindex mechanism adapted to be actuated by said member, said indexmechanism including a carrier, a pointer, and means on the carrier foradjusting the pointer independently of the movement adapted to be giventhereto by the member.

13. In a device of the class described, a work actuated member, and anindex mechanism adapted to be actuated by said member, said indexmechanism including a carrier, a pointer having a wedge, and devicescooperating with said wedge for adjusting and holding the pointerrelative to the carrier.

14. In a device of the class described, a pivoted index carrier, anindex pivoted to said carrier, a part of said index being wedge shapedin cross section, and adjusting screws mounted in said index carrier andengaging the wedge shaped part of the index, said screws beingseparately adjustable in the carrier and operating, also, to clamp theindex and the index carrier in fixed relation to each other.

15. In a device of the class described, a carrier, a pointer wedgeshaped in cross section and connected with the carrier, and separatelyadjusted screws cooperating with the Wedge portion of the pointer foradjusting the latter and operating, also, to clamp said pointer in fixedrelation to said carrier.

16. In a device of the class described, a work-actuated member, a rockshaft cooperating therewith, an index shaft operated by the rock shaft,a pointer movable with the index shaft, and means for adjusting thepointer relative to the index shaft independently of its movementtherewith.

17. In a device of the class described, a worlcactuated member, a rockshaft cooperating therewith, an index shaft operated by the rock shaft,a carrier movable with the index shaft, a pointer on the carrier, andmeans for adjusting the pointer relative to the carrier.

18. In a device of the class described, a rockshaft, a work-actuatedmember cooperating therewith, an index-shaft operated by the rock-shaft,a carrier on the index-shaft, a pointer pivoted to and movable with saidcarrier, means for adjusting the pointer on, and clamping the samefixedly to, said carrier, and a dial traversed by said pointer.

19. In a device of the class described, a hollow bed or frame, ahorizontal rock-shaft journaled in said bed or frame, a notched memberprovided with a single tooth, said member being carried by saidrock-shaft, a spindle slidable in said bed and seated on said tooth ofthe notched member, whereby said member and the rock-shaft are turned bythe depression of said spindle, and an index mechanism operated by therockshaft.

20; An instrument for detecting the warpage in the plane surfaces oftiles and for classifying said tiles, embodying an index mechanismincluding a pointer and a part graduated to denote the classes intowhich tiles are assorted, an actuating member positioned for a tileengaging face thereof to lie in the plane of the undersurface of a tileto tested, tile positioning means in co- Qperative relation with saidactuating mern= her for presenting a centain surface of the tile to betested opposite to the tile engaging face oi said actuating member, andtra nsrh me-see mitting devices" intermediate the actuating member andthe pointer of said index mech anism, said tile positioning means havingparts arranged for engagement with the edges and one; face of the tileto be tested,

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE A. STANBERY.

Witnesses:

GA-RNO'BE F. LUMB, J. S; Wanna-ER.

0011165 81' tlfi s patient may be obtained for five cents eaeh, byaa'znessing the Commissioner of i athts Washington, 11 6;."

